Sunday, October 3, 2010

Black-necked Stork

The Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is not commonly seen around our area. I have occasionally seen a single bird which has not stayed around for long. However, over the last couple of weeks there have been a number of these birds around the bay. I saw one a week ago in the Crab Creek area and there have been up to 5 in the Mullens Creek area. Each time I was told about the birds in the Mullens area I was told they were there "yesterday".
This morning I finally got lucky and there were 3 out on the saltmarsh flats. One flew off very quickly but the other two stayed on the far side of the bay where I could see them and get very distant photos. One bird was an adult with the typical adult red legs and the other was a juvenile bird still showing some brown plumage and with less white plumage then the adult.
This is the closest I have ever been to one of these birds but - sometime - it would be great to be even closer and to get much better photos.
Adult

Juvenile
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12 comments:

  1. NeilOctober 3, 2010 at 7:08 PM

    Yes Mick most birds are always there yesterday or maybe the day after just have to time it right.

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  2. Tyto TonyOctober 3, 2010 at 9:12 PM

    The adult's yellow eye means a female. About 10 years ago came upon a Jabiru in tidal Kedron creek near Toombul shopping centre, inner north Brisbane. So they do get around.

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  3. Denis WilsonOctober 3, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    Good for you to see them.
    Lovely.
    Denis

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  4. AndreeOctober 4, 2010 at 12:47 AM

    They are beautiful photos. I'm glad you were able to capture them, considering the difficulties. Well worth the effort and time!

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  5. Mike B. @ slugyard.comOctober 4, 2010 at 1:45 AM

    Your story sounds similar to mine when I was trying to see bighorn sheep while on vacatin a few years ago. "There were a hundred of them here yesterday". At least you got some shots- great looking birds.

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  6. mickOctober 4, 2010 at 5:55 AM

    Hi Neil, and a bit more fine weather would make it easier!

    Hi Tony, thanks for the further info. Interesting that you have seen one in Brisbane. Do you know where they breed?

    Thanks Denis.

    Thanks Andree, birding certainly teaches you patience.

    Hi Mike, it would be even more frustrating to be told you had missed a hundred!

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  7. NatureFootstepOctober 4, 2010 at 7:05 AM

    I hve not seen this one before.

    But......what a great header!!! I love it. That´s a perfect shot.

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  8. mickOctober 4, 2010 at 7:08 AM

    Thanks NatureFootstep.

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  9. AprilOctober 5, 2010 at 2:42 AM

    WOW! What wonderful photos of this gorgeous bird and a fabulous "rare" sighting.

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  10. mickOctober 5, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    Thanks April.

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  11. Phil SladeOctober 5, 2010 at 5:21 AM

    Mick, It sounds like these birds are pretty scarce, maybe even a threatened species and you did well to find, record and photograph them.

    ReplyDelete
  12. mickOctober 5, 2010 at 6:16 AM

    Hi Phil, BN Storks are quite plentiful in other places but it's just not their preferred habitat around here.

    Thanks Halcyon

    ReplyDelete

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